Page 4 of Carnal Risk

“She shouldn’t come to our events.”

“We haven’t had any events since the accident.”

“True, but she’s not into jumps or any of our other extracurricular activities.” Lars wiped his mouth with a cocktail napkin.

“I saw her looking at you. Are you fucking her?”

“Oh, no. Come on, man.”

“Don’t give me that shit. What’s going on between you two?”

Lars shook his head.

“Spill it or we’re done here.” Garrett wasn’t sure why it irritated him to think Lars had been intimate with her.

“We met in college. That’s it.”

“Anything else?”

“No, we didn’t click that way. But we stayed friends over the years. She came on board five years ago.”

“And you never brought her around? Ever?”

“No, she’s not like us. Besides, you saw the look she gave me. Nothing’s lost on you.”

“She’s pissed.”

“Yeah, I just told you. I knew she did this, but I don’t usually come to watch. So she’s probably wondering why the hell I’m here.”

“I’m sure she’s going to love that she basically just had an interview with her new boss.”

“Let’s not get crazy now. I’m her boss. You have her on loan.”

“This isn’t going to work…”

“She’s the best you’re going to get, considering the circumstances.”

Garrett just shook his head. Yeah, I just undressed her while she ground on my cock. Great way to start a business relationship. Awesome.

“What? She’s not going to care that you were here.”

“You’re delusional. No wonder you can’t keep a woman.”

“Glass houses, bro.” Lars shrugged. “There is one tiny thing…”

“What?”

“You can’t fuck her. And before you go all CEO on my ass, this is a deal breaker.”

“You’re a dick, you know that. Why bring me here to see her like this?” Garrett raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“I told you. I brought you here so you could see her in her element, doing something that pushes her a little outside of her comfort zone. She’s no jumper, but she’s brave. If I hadn’t done this, you wouldn’t have ever considered her. You are sinking fast, my friend, and desperate times call for desperate measures. It worked. I got you to say yes.” Lars set his palms on the table, his expression serious. “For years I’ve kept her away from that side of my life, away from you. She’s my golden goose. I’m proud of her. There’s nothing she does half-assed, including what she just did. I love you, Garrett, and because I love you, I’m not going to let you fuck up business. This thing with Evan…I can see how this is affecting you and I don’t like it a damn bit. So I’m letting you borrow one of my finest assets. But I care about her, and because of that, she’s off limits. Got it?”

“Fine. Whatever. Bring her to the office and we’ll talk. I’ve gotta go. She stays two weeks, that’s it.”

“Two weeks,” Lars repeated.

Garrett wasn’t sure if he believed the words he was speaking but they sounded good. He caught the raised eyebrow Lars gave him, but ignored it. With a slap to his friend’s shoulder, he saluted goodbye and headed toward the door. He hated that Lars sometimes knew him better than he knew himself. For the first time since Evan had died, he’d been distracted by something else, someone else.